Week 3 and 4 Study Questions Flashcards
radical monism asserts that all being is ____ (___ = think “one”). Multiplicity and diversity are _____
one (mon = “one”), illusions
Mitigated monism asserts that all beings are ______ of _______________. Diversity and multiplicity (do/do not) exist, but _______________
modes/parts, of a single divine being, (do), not so far as the real beings have true autonomy
Radical pluralism asserts that ______________ and that only (diversity/unity) exists
there is no underlying unity to the universe, diversity
The Thomistic tradition asserts “______________ in the ____________, the common perfection embracing all levels of being, finite to Infinite, deriving from the Ultimate Source, the pure Subsistent Act of Existence with no limiting essence, which is God. “
the bond of unity comes from diverse participations, act of existence
From a philosophical perspective, why must we take seriously both the one and many?
The many = without it we contradict our own experience. Realize through reflection that I am different that other humans
The one = we must do justice to the underlying theme of a common thread, making the universe intelligible
Can either an essential form or prime matter exist by itself or be discovered separately by science? Why or why not? Explain essential form
Form is a qualitative principle in which we can understand or observe the being in a typical way (by itself or through science).
Can either an essential form or prime matter exist by itself or be discovered separately by science? Why or why not? Explain prime matter
In discussing matter, we call into the room the Principle of Dissimilarity.
This principle is a negative principle as opposed to a positive principle.
As thus, the distinguishing feature is not something that one could point to. Rather, it comes forth through the existence of two separate beings separating this being from that being.
Is essential form a positive or negative principle?
positive
Is prime matter a positive or negative principle?
negative
Explain the benefit of the sphere land thought experiment.
Everything about sphere A can be said about sphere B. According to form, sphere A and sphere B would be considered the same being. With the consideration of prime matter and the principle of dissimilarity, we can say that each has their own prime matter and thus are two separate beings. Matter makes the two spheres distinguishable.
How do cells, molecules, atoms, etc. fit into the Thomistic form/matter structure?
These lower level elements fit into the Thomistic form/matter structure by way of using the analogous nature of matter. When considering that any lower component element in a complex material being can be considered matter (not just formless matter), we see how they take on an ontological openness of the Thomistic structure of form/matter.
The principle of potency is open in the sense that______________________ whereas the closedness is ___________________
it allows a being to have the capacity to change; the limit or range of this change
Why do you think that potency is inadmissible and inaccessible for empiricist philosophers
potency is a capacity to change (non-observable)
What serious negative consequences of potency/empirical scientists’ view have for explaining our ordinary experience as well as contemporary science?
We deny lived human experiences and contradict our use of language (“sun can burn you” example)
Substance, as the principle of ______________________ throughout the whole spectrum of accidental change open to a particular being, becomes the ____________________or natural aptitude, for the whole spectrum of possible changes (_________) open to it by its nature
continuity and self-identity, abiding center of the being’s reservoir of built-in potency, actualities
